Monday, February 02, 2009

Just about everything I need, from the phone to the TV remote to my books and files, to my meds and vitamins can be found on the bedside table. And yes, the upside-down lid of the wicker laundry basket, pulled up close to the bed, has been my desk. It's been kinda kludgy, but I haven't been working much, so it's worked out just fine.

Suddenly, today, I was back to work. In addition to two projects I've been overseeing for a few months now, two new projects are kicking off in the next week -- requiring meetings on campus at Microsoft. This is gooooood news!

But I'm a bit concerned because last Saturday, when I tried to get from the house to the car, drive (that's the easy part) and get back into the house, I was exhausted. And that didn't even include getting into an office, my own (which isn't handicapped inaccessible) or Microsoft (which are all accessible). By Thursday, I have to be able to do that.

So tomorrow, I'll be moving my office from the bedroom back to my home office:

I won't have my foot up on a pillow all day, as it's been for the past month. Instead, it's time to give my foot the "trial of reality" because by Thursday I have to be able to head out of here, attend at least one meeting, and get back home without my foot turning as purple as the cast and without incessant throbbing.

One of my fears as a project manager is dropping a ball by not following through on an important detail of a project --and the projects I manage have a zillion balls in the air simultaneously, with a zillion opportunities to drop each one! But I'm ashamed to say that this is exactly what happened as I've project managed my recuperation. I didn't secure a handicapped placard for my car! Until I get that, Tom is gonna have to get me to and from my meetings because there's no way I can walk the distances from a parking garage to meeting rooms.

All this is good, though, because it all points to progress and recuperation -- and that's the goal. The past month of sleeping any time I was tired and watching What Not to Wear and Jon & Kate Plus Eight has been nice, but it's time to get back to the real world.

I just hope I can make it through a day in my office without signs that I'm attempting this too soon. Wish me luck!

12 comments:

Great news, Carol! Take it easy at the beginning. Can you work part-time in-house for the first week, and the rest of the day at home? Is there a way to prop your foot up while in your office? I'm sure you'll figure out how to do this--just don't push yourself too fast. It is progress though! Yay!

ooh I am so glad for you that you get new projects to manage and that you'll pick up old rhythms again.

I bet it'll be hard at first and painfull, but things can change quickly. I noticed that as well: couldn't sit for an hour on Saturday, barely made it on Sunday on a train ride, sat cautiously working from home on Monday and by Tuesday I was driving to the office. So don't panick if it's not comfortable or easy at first (but don't overstretch it either!).

ooh I am so glad for you that you get new projects to manage and that you'll pick up old rhythms again.

I bet it'll be hard at first and painfull, but things can change quickly. I noticed that as well: couldn't sit for an hour on Saturday, barely made it on Sunday on a train ride, sat cautiously working from home on Monday and by Tuesday I was driving to the office. So don't panick if it's not comfortable or easy at first (but don't overstretch it either!).

Anyway, reading through your post, "One of my fears as a project manager is dropping a ball by not following through on an important detail of a project", I was inspired to ask one of PM Hut's contributors to write an article on the "Worst Fears of a Project Manager".